Cessna 172 N5405T accident near Florida City, Florida

Probable cause

The commercial pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in a loss of total engine power due to fuel starvation.

NTSB analysis

The purpose of the flight was for the pilots to build flight experience, with the commercial pilot practicing simulated instrument meteorological conditions in the left seat, while the private pilot acted as a safety pilot in the right seat. About 2 hours into the night cross-country flight, the airplane sustained a loss of total engine power without any warning or roughness. The commercial pilot tried to restart the engine but was unsuccessful, so the private pilot performed a forced landing to a swamp. During the landing, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted.

Examination of the wreckage 3 days later revealed that the right wing fuel tank contained adequate fuel but the left wing fuel tank contained only residual fuel. The engine was subsequently test run successfully at a recovery facility.

The airplane was 61 years old, and its fuel selector handle placard was not as intuitive as other similar models. Specifically, the handle had to be at the 12 o’clock position to select both fuel tanks. The commercial pilot set it at about the 11 o’clock position, which would use only the left fuel tank. It is likely that the commercial pilot exhausted the fuel in the left fuel tank, which resulted in fuel starvation. The commercial pilot also reported that more awareness of the specific aircraft model differences could have prevented the accident.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA25LA200 for the full record.